Public commenters urge $25M for Healthy Rivers, Prop. 68 grants and $35M for offshore wind, while several groups oppose a SAF incentive

Public testimony at the Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 hearing featured a range of stakeholders urging funding for natural-resource programs and expressing concerns about a proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) incentive.

Julia Hall of the Association of California Water Agencies told the panel she "strongly support[s] the $25,000,000 for the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes" program, urged rejection of cuts to special-funded positions at the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the State Water Board, and backed redistribution of Proposition 1 funding to natural-resource projects. Chris Anderson of the California Chamber of Commerce said he "echo[ed] the comments of ACWA" in support of the contingent $25 million appropriation.

Felipe Fuentes, on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of California, asked the committee to reject the SAF tax credit and the governor's May revision, saying staff analysis and examples suggest it would cost "at least $165,000,000 in its first year" and could jeopardize roads and transportation funding. Chris Nielsen of the World Resources Institute and Mark Fenstermaker of Earthjustice also expressed support for rejecting the SAF incentive, with Earthjustice adding concern that the program could direct funding to refineries outside California and questioned the claimed environmental benefits.

Griselda Chavez, speaking for the California Association of Local Conservation Corps and related groups, supported $2,029,000 in Prop 68 grants to expand local corps projects, urged $12,000,000 for demonstration job projects and asked reconsideration of reductions to the light-duty incentive program. Michael Jacobson, supporting the Sierco and Cadamo offshore wind project, thanked the committee for a prior $4,000,000 appropriation and asked for $35,000,000 this year, saying lease production could repay the investment in "less than 8 days." A representative of the California Fuels Convenience Alliance (identified as Giacchionis) reiterated concerns that the SAF proposal could increase gas and diesel prices and voiced support for the staff recommendation on item 37.

The public-comment period concluded without additional speakers and the committee moved to its vote-only calendar.

Quotes used in this article are taken directly from the hearing record and attributed to the speakers who identified themselves before commenting.